Anthony Joshua

ANTHONY JOSHUA has nothing but respect for rival Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their massive heavyweight showdown.Five months after Usyk stripped AJ of his.

When he was reminded of Fury’s jibes, Usyk said: “Of course, he never said it to my face. “He wanted to compete and defend the belts. I know we are going to be fighting one day.” “People have decided not to leave and to defend their homes. I respect what he has done.” He is just trying to defend his community so I respect him.

Anthony Joshua is looking very lean ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk as new physique photos emerge.

A third fight against Usyk would certainly be on the cards, or a glamour fight against a returning Deontay Wilder. The ultimate, though, particularly for British boxing fans, would be to persuade Tyson Fury to come out of retirement for a clash for the ages. A third defeat in his last five fights and that may be curtains for Joshua at the top level of boxing. This could be a career defining or a career ending fight for Joshua against the big Ukrainian, so it’s vital he gets his game plan right and gets the job done.

Promoter Eddie Hearn predicts a “brilliant heavyweight fight” when Anthony Joshua meets defending champion Oleksandr Usyk in the highly anticipated title ...

“We intend to do lots of fights and business with the Emirates as well,” he said. “Now we are back, I would like to see a calendar of boxing events rather than one-offs. Everybody is looking to host major sporting events in the region. He will have very fond memories of that Ruiz fight because he went on to win the rematch and we believe he can do that again. “The changes that have taken place from then and now are unbelievable,” he added. You're going to see that in the next few years. The participation is up 300 per cent at the amateur and grassroots level. “If things don’t change it’s very difficult for me to do that or speak with any kind of passion. There’s going to be a lot of great people there, a lot of great fighters and a huge media presence. He’s prepared fantastically well, and I think we are going to see a brilliant heavyweight fight.” “I’m not just saying it, it’s one of the fights he feels most comfortable about. We went over there and it was just sand, but they said everything will be fine, and it was.

Saturday's heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua has everyone talking and there are so many factors and sub-plots.

There was a purse bid for him to face EU champion Gustave Tamba and that is a stepping-stone to the full European title. He’ll have exorcised a few demons in that he was hurt in that last round, however came through it and finished strong. Mick did get hurt in the last round and he mentioned that after the fight, but it was a comprehensive win. If you think rationally, it doesn’t matter a lot where the fight will take place but sports people often don’t and look for something to give them an edge in their mind. There is talk of him being gun-shy since the first fight against Andy Ruiz when he was stopped, but I’m sure he much prefers to go out on his shield all-guns-blazing, rather than losing with another timid performance. I’d love to know what really went on there because McCracken is a boxing man who knows what he is talking about.

Fans picked up on Anthony Joshua's physique in a recent training picture and compared it to Oleksandr Usyk's bulked-up frame ahead of their rematch next ...

Usyk's muscular frame also caught the attention of Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn, who is confident his fighter will be able to walk the heavyweight champion down and knock him out inside six rounds. He’s definitely going for speed and more body shots are needed as well". Joshua parted ways with coach Robert McCracken after his loss to Usyk and has since linked up with Robert Garcia for the rematch. 'AJ' weighed in at 240lb for his first meeting with Usyk whilst the Ukrainian stepped on the scale at a career-high of 221lb.

Oleksandr Usyk faces Anthony Joshua in a rematch on August 20. But what will be next for the reigning IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight champion?

If Usyk is dethroned, a meeting between the only two men to have beaten Joshua would be an easy sell and a decent way of deciding who most deserves a third fight. His former amateur rival is ranked highly by the WBC, WBO and IBF and a showdown between the pair could be huge if Joyce is able to negotiate former WBO champ Joseph Parker in September. Depending on the manner of the defeat, a rubber match with Joshua would be possible, although AJ is far more likely to chase undisputed status. Usyk's tangles with Joshua and former WBC cruiserweight king Tony Bellew means his profile in the UK is considerable. Joshua 2 undercard in an IBF final eliminator and that status might actually carry some weight in the circumstances for the 6ft 6ins Croatian, who has won 12 of his 14 professional fights inside the distance. In the week before Usyk's rematch with Joshua, Tyson Fury announced his comeback and then retired again within the space of three days.

Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua meet in one of the biggest fights of the year with three heavyweight titles at stake.

With the help of the Lord, I will overcome the biggest challenges to make it happen. For any sports fan, this is not to be missed. DAZN, the global sports entertainment platform, today confirms that it will broadcast the Oleksander Usyk vs.

INTERVIEW: Joshua has been putting himself through mental torture before trying next weekend to physically brutalise the Ukrainian genius who made him ...

A fighter has to be trained to keep his head screwed on as he goes into the ring. I remembered driving to Wembley to fight Alexander Povetkin and seeing all my family on the North Circular. Me waving at a car and shouting Yo Auntie out the window. Calm. A lot of people understand the physical side of boxing. I used to spell out the two or three things I wanted to work on. I saw lots of people I knew in the crowd. It's more tactical (to deal with a southpaw). Reasoning to the method. I will be 33 shortly and a lot will come down to how long my body can hang on.' I have dedicated a lot of my life to a very tough sport. 'Right after, in the changing room, I knew I would fight again. Especially inside the four walls of my home and the environment I shape around me. Wish the good doctor well as he works to unravel some of these Joshua musings. Was his glad-handing, fan-greeting, broad-smiling ring-walk in September a mistake not to be repeated?

ANTHONY JOSHUA's lack of speed could end up being his undoing in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, according to former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

“It’s gonna be hard to beat Usyk because he’s fast and he outpunched Joshua with his jab. So that's the game plan.” Joshua has no intention of trying to outbox Usyk a second time around, saying: "The goal now is to go back to basics and go for the knockout.